The death toll from a ferry disaster in Bangladesh on Tuesday has risen to 150, but hundreds of people are still missing and presumed dead.

Reports in Bangladesh Sunday said 150 bodies have now been recovered or washed ashore, while at least 300 people are still missing.

About 200 people were rescued or swam safely to shore when the severely overcrowded ferry went down in turbulent water near Dhaka. The boat sank in 60 meter deep water at the confluence of the flood-swollen Meghna, Padma and Dakatia rivers - a dangerous stretch where high water and strong currents often form whirlpools.